Responsabilité sociétale des entreprises. Interactions entre entreprises privées et entreprises de travail adapté.

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR), social impact, social enterprise networks, social economy organization, venture philanthropy... these phrases call into question the company’s traditional role as producers of goods and services. In fact, this is a role companies no longer occupy. Indeed, we note that the achievement of societal goals – goals embracing both social and environmental matters – is becoming more and more common. Companies are no longer confined to embodying simple legal entities whose objectives are profit maximization and the occupation of workers through the production of goods and services. By deliberately integrating social and environmental concerns into their business activities, companies are shifting their focus, placing people at the heart of their economy. These societal goals are set through governance and management practices capable of creating value whilst delivering financial returns.

In parallel these societal considerations, collaborations between private companies and social enterprises, such as adapted work enterprises – companies that employ people with disabilities – have increased significantly. Adapted work enterprises are increasingly gaining market shares in different sectors, while following a diversification plan to ensure their viability. This work attempts to answer the following question: To what extent do traditional private companies outsourcing adapted work companies under their CSR programs simultaneously pursue a strategy of minimizing costs? These forms of collaboration between adapted work enterprises and conventional private companies will therefore be assessed; the initial hypothesis being that these interactions are less linked by an attempt to establish CSR than by a strategy of minimizing costs.